Hamburg Police issuing HK MP5 and Haenel CR223 (AR15)

According to several sources, the Police in Hamburg (Germany), are getting new body armor, helmets, armored cars and HK MP5s and Haenel CR223s.

The real news here is the issuing of the Haenel CR223, which is a piston driven AR15 style rifle.

Hamburger Mobile Einsatzkommando (MEK) is the main unit that will receive this equipment.

The reason is of course the continued threat from terrorist violence, and what has been learned from and concluded from the previous attacks.

Apparently there is a need for protective vests and helmets, which can protect officers from rifle bullets.

The HK MP5 is already included in the basic training, but the addition of the Haenel CR223 gives the Police access to rifle ammunition in 5.56 x 45 mm NATO. The choice fell on the CR223 model, developed by C.G. Haenel in AR 15 standard.

From what I have heard, C.G. Haenel is a subcontractor to Heckler & Koch, so they are familiar with the CNC machining of uppers and lowers.

About 70 patrol vehicles will be equipped to this standard.

The costs for the new protective equipment package in the security of the police forces in Hamburg amount to 4.5 million €uros. (4.8 million USD).

“C.G. Haenel, the traditional manufacturer from Suhl, is now offering its own version of a semi-automatic rifle in the popular AR 15 standard. The Haenel CR223 in the .223 Rem. calibre is an indirect gas-pressure loader that is fully compatible with the basics of this class. For Key Account Manager Björn Dräger, the development is a step towards new rifle classes – at the same time the company is building on from old expertise. C.G. Haenel in Suhl developed the world’s first type 44 assault rifle in the 1940’s – a rifle that not only created this rifle class but also had a decisive influence on all subsequent constructions of the same type.”

Stronger, and more urgent, there is also a need for real rifles and rifle calibers, which opens up a new market for HK416 and AR15 like manufacturers. In Germany there are a few producers like Schmeisser, Haenel, HERA Arms and Oberland.

Very soon TFB will be telling you about more Police units getting AR15 rifles.